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Hauptmann, Gerhart, 1862-1946

"The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann Volume I"


I consider all that trash. The thing is simply this: humanity lies in its
death throes and we're merely trying to make the agony as bearable as we
can by administering narcotics.
LOTH
Is that your latest point of view?
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
It's five or six years old by this time and I see no reason to change it.
LOTH
I congratulate you on it.
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
Thank you.
_A long pause ensues._
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
[_After several disquieted and unsuccessful beginnings._] The trouble is
just this. I feel that I'm responsible ... I absolutely owe you an
elucidation. I don't believe that you will be able to marry Helen Krause.
LOTH
[_Frigidly._] Oh, is that what you think?
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
Yes, that's my opinion. There are obstacles present which just you would
...
LOTH
Look here! Don't for heaven's sake have any scruples on that account. The
conditions, as a matter of fact, aren't so complicated as all that. At
bottom they're really terribly simple.
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
Simply terrible, you'd better say.
LOTH
I was referring simply to the obstacles.
DR. SCHIMMELPFENNIG
So was I, very largely. But take it all in all, I can't imagine that you
really know the conditions as they are.


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